City leaders: Businesses, public should take proper COVID precautions

Posted on August 20, 2020
Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner. (YouTube/City of Bloomington)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington officials are reminding the business community and the general public to take proper COVID-19 precautions.

There have been several incidents where bars and restaurants have not followed proper COVID-19 safety measures, according to Mayor Tari Renner. Renner said he has a duty to protect the public’s health and the local economy.

“If we have establishments that are not abiding by the law, I will not only give them hefty fines, but in some cases if necessary, I will revoke their liquor licenses,” Renner said in a video message to the public on Thursday. “This is very serious, this behavior is unacceptable, and we have to band together to move forward.”

Renner said the last thing the city needs is to move backwards in the reopening plan.

Interim police chief Greg Scott and city manager Tim Gleason said the best path forward is voluntary compliance.

Earlier this month, Gov. JB Pritzker issued a rule that allows local authorities to ticket owners of businesses whose customers will not wear a face mask. Businesses have two warnings, with the third being a cash penalty up to $2,500.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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